Efficacy and safety of intravenous thrombolytic therapy in patients over eighty years.

INTRODUCTION: Intravenous thrombolytic therapy (IVTT) is licensed for patients under 80 years in many countries. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate functional results and complication rates of IVTT in patients over eighty years and whether there is a difference in efficacy and safety between low dose and standard dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA). METHODS: A retrospective observational study of patients over eighty who admitted to Suleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine Hospital between August 2016 and April 2021 and to Isparta City Hospital between April 2017 and April 2021 and diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke were conducted. Third month modified rankin scores (mRS) and mortality rates of patients and hemorrhagic transformations were determined. RESULTS: There were 29 patients in IVTT group and 25 patients in non-IVTT group. By the third month, it was observed that functional independence (mRS 0-2) ratio was increased more in IVTT group, but it wasn't statistically significant (p: 0.087). In mortality and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage rates, there wasn't statistically significant difference between IVTT and non-IVTT groups and low dose and standard dose rTPA groups by the third month. CONCLUSION: The efficacy and complication rates of IVTT in patients over 80 years were found similar to not receive IVTT. These results support the safety of IVTT in patients over 80 years. In low or standard dose rTPA preference, we observed that there was not statistically significance in efficacy and safety. We believe that these results will be supported by studies with larger number of patients.

Assessment of Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage or Hemorrhagic Transformation in the VENOST Study.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis (CVST) may lead to cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure; besides, ischemic or hemorrhagic lesions may develop. Intracerebral hemorrhages occur in approximately one-third of CVST patients. We assessed and compared the findings of the cerebral hemorrhage (CH) group and the CVST group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the VENOST study, medical records of 1,193 patients with CVST, aged over 18 years, were obtained from 35 national stroke centers. Demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, signs at the admission, radiological findings, etiologic factors, acute and maintenance treatment, and outcome results were reported. The number of involved sinuses or veins, localizations of thrombus, and lesions on CT and MRI scans were recorded. RESULTS: CH was detected in the brain imaging of 241 (21.1%) patients, as hemorrhagic infarction in 198 patients and intracerebral hemorrhage in 43 patients. Gynecologic causes comprised the largest percentage (41.7%) of etiology and risk factors in the CVST group. In the CH group, headache associated with other neurological symptoms was more frequent. These neurological symptoms were epileptic seizures (46.9%), nausea and/or vomiting (36.5%), altered consciousness (36.5%), and focal neurological deficits (33.6%). mRS was ≥3 in 23.1% of the patients in the CH group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: CVST, an important cause of stroke in the young, should be monitored closely if the patients have additional symptoms of headache, multiple sinus involvement, and CH. Older age and parenchymal lesion, either hemorrhagic infarction or intracerebral hemorrhage, imply poor outcome.

Behçet's disease as a causative factor of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: subgroup analysis of data from the VENOST study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to determine the rate of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) among cases of Behçet's disease (BD) included in a multicentre study of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (VENOST). METHODS: VENOST was a retrospective and prospective national multicentre observational study that included 1144 patients with CVST. The patients were classified according to aetiologic factors, time of CVST symptom onset, sinus involvement, treatment approach and prognosis. RESULTS: BD was shown to be a causative factor of CVST in 108 (9.4%) of 1144 patients. The mean age of patients in the BD group was 35.27 years and 68.5% were men, whereas in the non-BD CVST group, the mean age was 40.57 years and 28.3% were men (P < 0.001). Among the aetiologic factors for patients aged 18-36 years, BD was predominant for men, and puerperium was predominant for women. The onset of symptoms in the BD group was consistent with the subacute form. The transverse sinuses were the most common sites of thrombosis, followed by the superior sagittal sinuses. The most common symptom was headache (96.2%), followed by visual field defects (38%). CONCLUSIONS: BD was found in 9.4% of patients in our VENOST series. Patients with BD were younger and showed a male predominance. The functional outcome of CVST in patients with BD was good; only 12% of patients presenting with cranial nerve involvement and altered consciousness at the beginning had a poor outcome (modified Rankin Score ⩾2).

An investigation of the effectiveness against bacteriuria of silver-coated catheters in short-term urinary catheter applications: A randomized controlled study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of antimicrobial-coated catheters against bacteriuria and urinary tract infection in patients who have urinary catheterization. METHODS: Twenty eight and twenty six people similar in terms of demographic characteristics and primary and underlying diseases were randomly selected from patients undergoing short-time urinary catheterization in the intensive care unit. Silver-coated slicone foley catheters and normal slicone foley catheters were used for uninary catheterization in the first and second group of the patients respectively. Urine specimens were collected from patients at 2-day intervals and assessed in terms of bacteriuria. RESULTS: Bacteriuria was found in 12 (46.2%) of the patients using normal catheters and 13 (46.4%) of those using silver-coated catheters throughout the monitoring period. No significant relationship was determined between use of different catheter types and bacteriuria (p = 0.98). The most common microorganism was identified as E. coli in the normal catheter group while microorganism other than E. coli was identified in the silver-coated catheter group. The prevalence of bacteriuria was statistically significantly higher in patients with a history of hospitalization in the previous 3 months (p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: The use of silver-coated silicone catheters was not shown to have a protective effect against bacteriuria in this study. Further well-designed studies with larger case numbers are now needed to confirm whether history of hospitalization, which emerged as a statistically significant factor in this study, increases the prevalence of catheter-related bacteriuria.

Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis as a Rare Complication of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Subgroup Analysis of the VENOST Study.

AIM: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an unusual risk factor for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). As few CVST patients with SLE have been reported, little is known regarding its frequency as an underlying etiology, clinical characteristics, or long-term outcome. We evaluated a large cohort of CVST patients with SLE in a multicenter study of cerebral venous thrombosis, the VENOST study, and their clinical characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Among the 1144 CVST patients in the VENOST cohort, patients diagnosed with SLE were studied. Their demographic and clinical characteristics, etiological risk factors, venous involvement status, and outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: In total, 15 (1.31%) of 1144 CVST patients had SLE. The mean age of these patients was 39.9 ± 12.1 years and 13 (86.7%) were female. Presenting symptoms included headache (73.3%), visual field defects (40.0%), and altered consciousness (26.7%). The main sinuses involved were the transverse (60.0%), sagittal (40.0%), and sigmoid (20.0%) sinuses. Parenchymal involvement was not seen in 73.3% of the patients. On the modified Rankin scale, 92.9% of the patients scored 0-1 at the 1-month follow-up and 90.9% scored 0-1 at the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: SLE was found in 1.31% of the CVST patients, most frequently in young women. Headache was the most common symptom and the CVST onset was chronic in the majority of cases. The patient outcomes were favorable. CVST should be suspected in SLE patients, even in those with isolated chronic headache symptoms with or without other neurological findings.

The clinical significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the main chronic inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system that causes functional disability in young people. The aim of this study was to investigate the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with MS and the relationship between the NLR and the severity of the disease. One hundred and two MS patients (31 patients were in relapse; 71 patients were in remission) and 56 healthy controls were included. Complete blood counts as well as demographic and clinical data from MS patients were evaluated retrospectively. The NLRs were calculated for all participants and were compared; the cut-off value was also determined for the NLR and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). MS patients had a significantly higher NLR (p < 0.001) than the control group. The NLR levels were significantly higher in patients who were in relapse than patients in remission (p = 0.039). The cut-off value for the NLR to predict an MS diagnosis and activity were determined to be 2.04 and 3.90, respectively. The NLRs were directly correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels (r = 0.795, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis with dichotomous EDSS score showed that a high NLR was an independent predictor of the progression of disability. The NLR may be a biomarker that has simple, quick, inexpensive and reproducible properties in MS to predict patient's prognosis.

Modulation of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and calcium entry in leukocytes of patients with multiple sclerosis by Hypericum perforatum.

OBJECTIVES: Hypericum perfortarum (HP, St John's wort) is a modulator of Ca(2+) entry in neutrophils and it may modulate intracellular free Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) entry in leukocytes of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We investigated effects of HP on oxidative stress, apoptosis, and [Ca(2+)]i concentrations in serum and leukocytes of patients with MS. METHODS: Neutrophils of nine newly diagnosed MS patients and nine healthy subjects within four subgroups were used in the study. The first group was a control; the second group was patients with MS. The neutrophils from patient group were incubated non-specific TRPM2 channel blocker (2-APB), voltage-gated calcium channel blockers, verapamil and diltiazem (V + D) with HP before N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine stimulation, respectively. RESULTS: Neutrophil and serum lipid peroxidation, neutrophil apoptosis and [Ca(2+)]i levels in patients with MS were higher than in control although their levels were decreased by HP, 2-APB, and V + D incubations. The modulator role of V + D in MS and MS + HP groups was higher than in the 2-APB group. Neutrophilic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and serum vitamin A and E concentrations were lower in the MS group than in control. However, the neutrophil GSH-Px activity was increased by HP incubation. The neutrophil reduced glutathione, serum vitamin C and ß-carotene concentrations did not change in control and patients. DISCUSSION: We observed that HP-induced protective effects on oxidative stress and [Ca(2+)]i concentrations by modulating transient receptor potential and voltage gated calcium channel in the patients with MS. Thus, it may provide useful treatment of neutrophil activity in the patients.

The impact of personality on quality of life and disease activity in patients with Behcet's disease: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the personality characteristics of patients with Behcet's Disease (BD) using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) compared with healthy control subjects and to investigate the relationship between the temperament and character properties and quality of life, disease activity, depression and anxiety in Behcet's patients. METHODS: A total of 46 BD patients and 40 healthy subjects were included in the study. All patients and controls were determined using the TCI, Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Clinical Version for Axis I disorders (SCID-CV), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Quality of life (QOL) Instrument for Skin Disorders and Behcet Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF). RESULTS: BD patients demonstrated significantly lower Reward Dependence than healthy controls. Among the subscales; Explarotory Excitability, Shyness with Strangers, Attachment, Spiritual Acceptance were lower and Self-Acceptance was higher in patients compared to control subjects. Decreased quality of life and increased disease activity of the patients were correlated with increased anxiety and depression. Responsibility, Self-Forgetfulness and Transpersonal Identification were associated with quality of life while Responsibility was the major factor effecting QOL. Disease activity was not found related with TCI properties. CONCLUSION: Temperament and Character traits of BD patients were different from healthy group that might be due to many factors like genetics, biological or socio-cultural differences. BD patients were demonstrated as materialistic, self-contained, self-confident, cold, detached, and reserved although they are not shy. Considering the different personality traits of BD patients in psychotherapeutic approaches, may have a positive impact on QOL and comorbid major depressive disorder.

Effects of antiepileptic drugs on antioxidant and oxidant molecular pathways: focus on trace elements.

Current reports on trace elements, oxidative stress, and the effect of antiepileptic drugs are poor and controversial. We aimed to review effects of most common used antiepileptics on antioxidant, trace element, calcium ion (Ca(2+)) influx, and oxidant systems in human and experimental animal models. Observations of lower blood or tissue antioxidant levels in epileptic patients and animals compared to controls in recent publications may commonly support the proposed crucial role of antioxidants in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Effects of old and new antiepileptics on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in epilepsy are controversial. The old antiepileptic drugs like valproic acid, phenytoin, and carbamazepine induced ROS overproduction, while new epileptic drugs (e.g., topiramate and zonisamide) induced scavenger effects on over production of ROS in human and animals. Antioxidant trace element levels such as selenium, copper, and zinc were generally low in the blood of epileptic patients, indicating trace element deficiencies in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Recent papers indicate that selenium with/without topiramate administration in human and animals decreased seizure levels, although antioxidant values were increased. Recent studies also reported that sustained depolarization of mitochondrial membranes, enhanced ROS production and Ca(2+) influx may be modulated by topiramate. In conclusion, there is a large number of recent studies about the role of antioxidants or neuroprotectants in clinical and experimental models of epilepsy. New antiepileptic drugs are more prone to restore antioxidant redox systems in brain and neurons.

Zonisamide attenuates MPP+-induced oxidative toxicity through modulation of Ca2+ signaling and caspase-3 activity in neuronal PC12 cells.

Parkinson's disease is an incurable progressive neurological condition caused by a degeneration of dopamine-producing cells characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. The major mechanisms of the antiepileptic actions of ZNS are inhibition of voltage-gated Na(+) channel, T-type voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) channel, Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) releasing system, and neuronal depolarization-induced glutamate release; and enhancement of release of inhibitory neurotransmitters; however, the detailed mechanism of antiparkinsonian effects of ZNS remains to be clarified. We aimed to investigate to the effect of ZNS on the oxidative stress, cell viability, Ca(2+) signaling, and caspase activity that induced by the MPP(+) model of Parkinson's in neuronal PC12 cells. Neuronal PC12 cells were divided into four groups namely, control, ZNS, MPP(+), and ZNS+MPP(+) groups. The dose and duration of ZNS and MPP(+) were determined according to cell viability (MTT) analysis which used to assess the cell viability. The cells in ZNS, MPP(+), and ZNS+MPP(+) groups were incubated for 5 h with 100 µM ZNS, 10 h with 100 µM MPP(+), and 10 h with ZNS and MPP(+), respectively. Lipid peroxidation and cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentrations were higher in the MPP(+) group than in control although their levels were lower in ZNS and the ZNS+MPP(+) groups than in control. Reduced glutathione and glutathione peroxidase values were lower in the MPP(+) group although they were higher in the ZNS and the ZNS+MPP(+) groups than in control. Caspase-3 activity was lower in the ZNS group than in the MPP(+) group. In conclusion, ZNS induced modulator effects on the oxidative stress, intracellular Ca(2+), and the caspase-3 values in an experimental model of Parkinson disease.

Effects of selenium and topiramate on cytosolic Ca(2+) influx and oxidative stress in neuronal PC12 cells.

It has been widely suggested that selenium (Se) deficiency play an important role in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. It has been reported that Se provides protection against the neuronal damage in patients and animals with epilepsy by restoring the antioxidant defense mechanism. The neuroprotective effects of topiramate (TPM) have been reported in several studies but the putative mechanism of action remains elusive. We investigated effects of Se and TPM in neuronal PC12 cell by evaluating Ca(2+) mobilization, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant levels. PC12 cells were divided into eight groups namely control, TPM, Se, H(2)O(2), TPM + H(2)O(2), Se + H(2)O(2), Se + TPM and Se + TPM + H(2)O(2). The toxic doses and times of H(2)O(2), TPM and Se were determined by cell viability assay which is used to evaluate cell viability. Cells were incubated with 0.01 mM TPM for 5 h and 500 nM Se for 10 h. Then, the cells were exposed to 0.1 mM H(2)O(2) for 10 h before analysis. The cells in all groups except control, TPM and Se were exposed to H(2)O(2) for 15 min before analysis. Cytosolic Ca(2+) release and lipid peroxidation levels were higher in H(2)O(2) group than in control, Se and TPM combination groups although their levels were decreased by incubation of Se and TPM combination. However, there is no difference on Ca(2+) release in TPM group. Glutathione peroxidase activity, reduced glutathione and vitamin C levels in the cells were lower in H(2)O(2) group than in control, Se and TPM groups although their values were higher in the cells incubated with Se and TPM groups than in H(2)O(2) groups. In conclusion, these results indicate that Se induced protective effects on oxidative stress in PC12 cells by modulating cytosolic Ca(2+) influx and antioxidant levels. TPM modulated also lipid peroxidation and glutathione and vitamin C concentrations in the cell system.

Capparis ovata modulates brain oxidative toxicity and epileptic seizures in pentylentetrazol-induced epileptic rats.

It has been widely suggested that oxidative stress products play an important role in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. Capparis ovata (C. ovata) may useful treatment of epilepsy because it contains antioxidant flavonoids. The current study was designed to determine the effects of C. ovata on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant levels and electroencephalography (EEG) records in pentylentetrazol (PTZ)-induced epileptic rats. Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups. First group was used as control although second group was PTZ group. Oral 100 and 200 mg/kg C. ovata were given to rats constituting the third and fourth groups for 7 days before PTZ administration. Second, third and forth groups received 60 mg/kg PTZ for induction of epilepsy. Three hours after administration of PTZ, EEG records, brain cortex and blood samples were taken all groups. The lipid peroxidation levels of the brain cortex, number of spikes and epileptiform discharges of EEG were higher in PTZ group than in control and C. ovata group whereas they were decreased by C. ovata administration. Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and ß-carotene concentrations of brain cortex and latency to first spike of EEG were decreased by the PTZ administration although the brain cortex and plasma vitamin concentrations, and brain cortex and erythrocyte glutathione and glutathione peroxidase values were increased in PTZ + 100 and PTZ + 200 mg C. ovata groups. In conclusion, C. ovata administration caused protection against the PTZ-induced brain oxidative toxicity by inhibiting free radical and epileptic seizures, and supporting antioxidant redox system.

Bilateral ophthalmic-ethmoidal dural arteriovenous fistula presenting with intracranial hemorrhage: a rare entity.

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are rare lesions. The most common locations of DAVFs are cavernous, sigmoid and transverse sinuses. Anterior cranial fossa is one of the less frequent placement for DAVFs and the risk of hemorrhage in this region is increased. Reported hemorrhage risks have been ranged from 62 to 91 %, and an aggressive clinical course is more likely than a benign clinical course. A 47-year-old man was admitted to our emergency room with headache and the computed tomography revealed frontal hemorrhage. Neurological examination was normal. We applied cerebral angiography in our interventional neurology department and an anterior cranial fossa DAVFs, supplied by bilateral ophthalmic-ethmoidal arteries, was determined. DAVFs are a rare cause of intracranial hemorrhages and in the literature anterior cranial fossa DAVFs have been reported scarcely, so that we aimed to present this rare entity.

Non-ionic contrast media induces oxidative stress and apoptosis through Ca²âº influx in human neutrophils.

Non-ionic contrast media (CM) can induce tissue kidney injury via activation of phagocytosis and oxidative stress, although the mechanisms of injury via neutrophils are not clear. We investigated the effects of CM on oxidative stress and Ca²âº concentrations in serum and neutrophils of humans. Ten migraine patients were used in the study. Serum and neutrophil samples from patients' peripheral blood were obtained before (control) and 30 min after non-ionic (iopromide) CM injection. The neutrophils were incubated with non specific transient receptor potential 2 (TRPM2) channel blocker, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), and voltage gated Ca²âº channel blockers, verapamil plus diltiazem. Serum and neutrophil lipid peroxidation, apoptosis and intracellular Ca²âº concentrations levels were higher in the CM group than in controls. The neutrophilic reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels as well as serum vitamin E and ß-carotene concentrations were lower in the CM group than in controls. Neutrophil lipid peroxidation levels were lower in the CM+2-APB and CM+verapamil-diltiazem groups than in the CM group, although GSH, GSH-Px and intracellular Ca²âº values increased in the CM+2-APB and CM+verapamil-diltiazem groups. However, caspase-3, caspase-9, vitamin A and vitamin C values were unaltered by CM treatment. In conclusion, we observed that CM induced oxidative stress and Ca²âº influx by decreasing vitamin E, ß-carotene and Ca²âº release levels in human serum and neutrophils. However, we observed protective effects of Ca²âº channel blockers on Ca²âº influx in neutrophils.

Topiramate modulates hippocampus NMDA receptors via brain Ca(2+) homeostasis in pentylentetrazol-induced epilepsy of rats.

BACKGROUND: Increase in neuronal Ca(2+), activation of hippocampus N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and defects in enzymes such as brain cortex microsomal membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (MMCA) are thought to play a role in epilepsy. Topiramate (TOP) is a novel drug with broad antiepileptic effect, and its effect on brain cortex MMCA is not known. We investigated effects of TOP on pentylentetrazol (PTZ)-induced MMCA activity and NMDAR subunits in rat brain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four equal groups. The first group and second groups were used for the control and PTZ groups, respectively. 50 and 100 mg TOP were administered to rats constituting the third (TOP50) and fourth (TOP100) groups for 7 days, respectively. At the end of 7 days, all groups except the first received a single dose PTZ. Brain and hippocampus samples were taken at 3 hrs after PTZ administration. RESULTS: The microsomal MMCA activity was lower in the PTZ group than in control although the MMCA activities were higher in the treatment group than in PTZ group. Brain cortex total calcium levels, the hippocampus NMDAR 2A and 2B subunit concentrations were higher in the PTZ group than in control although their concentrations were decreased by TOP50 and TOP100 administration. Total brain cortex calcium and hippocampus NMDAR 2A and 2B subunit concentrations were higher in TOP100 group than in TOP50 group. CONCLUSION: The two doses of TOP modulated MMCA activity, total brain cortex calcium and hippocampus NMDAR 2A and 2B subunit concentrations in the epileptic rats.

Headache as the sole presenting symptom of cerebral venous sinuses thrombosis: Subgroup analysis of data from the VENOST study.

OBJECTIVES: Headache is the most common complaint in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) and it may sometimes be the only symptom in these patients. This retrospective and prospective study was an investigation of any differences in terms of clinical risk factors, radiological findings, or prognosis in patients with CVST who presented with isolated headache (IH) and cases with other concomitant findings (non-isolated headache [NIH]). METHODS: A total of 1144 patients from a multicenter study of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (VENOST study) were enrolled in this research. The demographic, biochemical, clinical, and radiological aspects of 287 IH cases and 857 NIH cases were compared. RESULTS: There were twice as many women as men in the study group. In the IH group, when gender distribution was evaluated by age group, no statistically significant difference was found. The onset of headache was frequently subacute and chronic in the IH group, but an acute onset was more common in the NIH group. Other neurological findings were observed in 29% of the IH group during follow-up. A previous history of deep, cerebral, or other venous thromboembolism was less common in the IH group than in the NIH group. Transverse sinus involvement was greater in the IH group, whereas sagittal sinus involvement was greater in the NIH group. The presence of a plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) mutation was significantly greater in the IH group. CONCLUSION: IH and CVST should be kept in mind if a patient has subacute or chronic headache. PAI, which has an important role in thrombolytic events, may be a risk factor in CVST. Detailed hematological investigations should be considered. Additional studies are needed.

Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis in Women: Subgroup Analysis of the VENOST Study.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) associated with reproductive health-related risk factors (RHRF) including pregnancy, puerperium, and oral contraceptive (OC) use can prevent severe neurological sequelae; thus, the symptoms must be documented in detail for each group. METHODS: Out of 1144 patients with CVST, a total of 777 women were enrolled from a multicenter for the study of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (VENOST). Demographic, biochemical, clinical, and radiological aspects were compared for 324 cases with RHRF and 453 cases without RHRF. RESULTS: The mean age of the RHRF (-) group (43.2 ± 13 years) was significantly higher than of the RHRF (+) group (34 ± 9 years). A previous history of deep venous thrombosis (3%), isolated cavernous sinus involvement (1%), cranial neuropathy (13%), comorbid malignancy (7%), and its disability scores after 12 months (9%) were significantly higher in the RHRF (-) group. The RHRF (+) group consisted of 44% cases of puerperium, 33% cases of OC users and 23% of pregnant women. The mean age was found to be higher in OC users (38 ± 9 years). A previous history of deep venous thrombosis was slightly higher in the pregnancy subgroup (4%). Epileptic seizures were more common in the puerperium group (44%). CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that the risk of CSVT increases parallel to age, OC use, and puerperium period. In addition, when considering the frequency of findings and symptoms, epileptic seizures in the puerperium subgroup of the RHRF (+) group and malignancies in the RHRF (-) group may accompany the CSVT. In daily practice, predicting these risks for the CSVT and early recognition of the symptoms will provide significant benefits to patients.

Epileptic seizures in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: Subgroup analysis of VENOST study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence and prognostic impact of early seizures in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis patients (CVST). METHOD: VENOST is a retrospective and prospective national multicenter observational study. CVST patients with or without epileptic seizures (ES) were analyzed and compared in terms of demographic and imaging data, causative factors, clinical variables, and prognosis in a total of 1126 patients. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients in the ES group was 39.73 ± 12.64 and 40.17 ± 14.02 years in the non-ES group (p > 0.05). Epileptic seizures were more common (76.6 %) in females (p < 0.001). Early ES occurred in 269 of 1126 patients (23.9 %). Epileptic seizures mainly presented in the acute phase (71.4 %) of the disease (p < 0.001). Majority of these (60.5 %) were in the first 24 h of the CVST. The most common neurological signs were focal neurologic deficits (29.9 %) and altered consciousness (31.4 %) in the ES group. Superior sagittal sinus (SSS) and cortical veins (CV) involvement were the most common sites of thrombosis and the mostly related etiology were found puerperium in seizure group (30.3 % vs 13.9 %). Patients with seizures had worse outcome in the first month of the disease (p < 0.001) but these did not have any influence thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: In this largest CVST cohort (VENOST) reported female sex, presence of focal neurological deficits and altered consciousness, thrombosis of the SSS and CVs, hemorrhagic infarction were risk factors for ES occurrence in patients with CVST.

P-wave dispersion in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Cardiac autonomic dysfunction assessed by the presence of arrhythmia, by the methods, such as heart rate variability or blood pressure variability, and by the electrocardiographic abnormalities is common in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The goal of present study was to analyze the P-wave dispersion (PWD), which is the non-invasive marker of atrial arrhythmia, in GBS patients and to compare those with healthy individuals. Thirty-five patients with GBS (mean age 53.6 ± 15.5 years) and 35 healthy controls (mean age 49.2 ± 14.1 years) were included to this study. Demographic and clinical information of the patients with GBS were assessed retrospectively. A 12-lead surface electrocardiogram was acquired from all participants. Minimum and maximum P-wave duration and PWD were measured in the patients with GBS and healthy controls. Maximum P-wave duration and PWD were significantly longer, and minimum P-wave duration was significantly lower in the patients with GBS rather than the control group (p = 0.037, p < 0.001, p = 0.007, respectively). GBS disability scores were positively correlated with the maximum P-wave duration (p = 0.015, r = 0.406) and PWD (p = 0.001, r = 0.525). We found that PWD was significantly prolonged in GBS patients compared with the controls. The increased PWD which is cheap, quick, non-invasive and feasible electrocardiographic marker may be related to increased risk for atrial fibrillation in patients with GBS.